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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

How solvents affect the skin

Lund: Researchers
at Lund University in Sweden have developed a method that makes it
possible to see how individual molecules from solvents in skin creams,
medicated ointments and cleaning products affect and interact with the
skin’s own molecules. In
the study, the researchers have examined how molecules added to the
skin through various liquids and creams affect the skin, and how the
same molecules are affected by being inside the skin.

Only a small
portion of the skin’s molecules is in a fluid state. However, these
mobile molecules are important as they determine many of the skin’s
properties, such as elasticity and barrier function. By using a type of
solid state NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), the researchers were able
to detect changes in the fluid skin molecules when they interact with
the molecules of different solvents. In addition, the researchers were
able to identify how the added molecules are affected by their
interaction with molecules of the skin.
“These types of
measurements have not been done before. Our results complement previous
studies that have measured how molecules penetrate the skin under
different conditions. Our contribution is that we have now increased our
understanding of how molecules – both added components and skin
molecules – are affected by each other”, says Emma Sparr, professor at
the Department of Chemistry at Lund University.
The results can be
applied in various fields that involve products that come in contact
with the skin, such as hygiene products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
While a medicated ointment must be able to transport active molecules
through the skin, and a skin cream may be intended for making the skin
softer and smoother, a disinfectant should not affect the skin’s
properties.
“Through an increased understanding of molecular
mechanisms we are able to more efficiently influence and regulate skin
properties”, says Emma Sparr.
The study was conducted by Professor Emma Sparr together with Professor Daniel Topgaard and doctoral student Quoc Dat Pham.Publication:Tracking solvents in the skin through atomically resolved measurements of molecular mobility in intact stratum corneum